Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway has excavated a body from the grounds of Norwich Castle, a forbidding edifice that was once a prison. She believes the body may be that of infamous Victorian murderess Jemima Green. Called Mother Hook for her claw-like hand, Jemima was hanged in 1867 for the murder of five children in her care. DCI Harry Nelson has no time for long-dead killers. Immersed in the case of three infants found dead, one after the other, in their King’s Lynn home, he’s convinced that a family member is responsible, though others on his team think differently.

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Publisher's Summary

Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway has excavated a body from the grounds of Norwich Castle, a forbidding edifice that was once a prison. She believes the body may be that of infamous Victorian murderess Jemima Green. Called Mother Hook for her claw-like hand, Jemima was hanged in 1867 for the murder of five children in her care.

DCI Harry Nelson has no time for long-dead killers. Immersed in the case of three infants found dead, one after the other, in their King’s Lynn home, he’s convinced that a family member is responsible, though others on his team think differently. Then a child goes missing. Could the abduction be linked to the long-dead Mother Hook? Ruth is pulled into the case, and back towards Nelson.

Ruth Galloway is such a sympathetic character, not perfect, not beautiful, but intelligent and resourceful, determined and straightforward. She struggles to balance her life as a single mom with her job as a forensic anthropologist. This story continues her inquiries into the history of her North Norfolk home,along with a contemporary mystery that parallels the historical investigation. As with any book that is driven by character more than action, I am very pleased to have visited with Ruth for a spell. If you like Deborah Crombie, or Louise Penny, you'll be happy with this series by Elly Griffiths.

I have enjoyed all of the books in this series. This audible version was no exception. The narrator was excellent and the story kept me completely absorbed and as usual a little disappointed that I must wait for the next great book from Elly Griffiths.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Outcast Dead to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version of this book but I have read the other 5 books in this Ruth Galloway Series by Elly Griffiths. I have loved every one of her books and this audio version has not let me down. I was a little skeptical as this was my first audio book but it is great! I am not the least bit disappointed. I look forward to more audio books in the future!

What other book might you compare The Outcast Dead to and why?

Compared to the other 5 books in this series, book #6 is the same high quality as in the past. Elly Griffiths has not let us down as the series continues! I look forward to her next book and hope it comes out very soon!

What does Clare Corbett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love her accent! Since I am not from the country where the story takes place her accent adds to the authenticity of the book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I would title it just as the author has....I would love to see this entire series in film!!!

Any additional comments?

Thank you for offering Elly Griffiths books here, it was a pleasant surprise to find it available here.

I love this series. The characters are real people - just more interesting than any I know. The stories have a ring of truth. Fascinating stories, but the continuing story of these people I really like is the best part of all. Start at the beginning of the series and enjoy them all. Can't wait for another!

A Victorian Baby Farmer convicted and hanged for the death of a young boy left in her care by his mother is the historic story that Ruth Galloway, forensic physical anthropologist, is dealing with in this, the sixth book in this series. Meanwhile DCI Harry Nelson is investigating the suspicious death of a baby whose parents are both suspects in the child's death.

Children are a big theme in this book in the series, as they have been in past books in this series. Not only is the skeleton of the hook-handed baby farmer Jemima Green, aka Mother Hook, the basis of a local bogy, she is also set to be the subject of an episode of a sensationalistic television show about women who kill.

Anyway this is a better than average story read well by Clare Corbett. She is not idiosyncratic in her style and thankfully does a good job with the accent of a historian from the US who adds some variety to the cast. Many of the characters from previous books make an appearance and the overall story arc does advance a bit.

Corbett's male voices were colorless and one-dimensional, and I cringed any time I knew Kate was about to speak (not all children shriek that loudly). Also, who told her that Americans sounded like she voiced Frank and Dani?

Otherwise, a solid performance.

Any additional comments?

Elly Griffiths' writing has improved vastly from her early books to this one. I've been bingeing on Ruth Galloway, reading them in order over the last couple of weeks, and I can tell that the author has become a much better writer. This is the first one I've listened to though.

I highly recommend reading the books in order, as the characters have definitely developed over the six, and soon to be seven, books. You will enjoy them more if you read them in order, although The Outcast Dead is the best of the bunch.

I have listened to all of Elly Grifiths Ruth Galloway books and this is definitely the best in the series. The plot is much tighter and the pace quicker than in some of the previous books and I was absolutely gripped. As usual the merging together of past and present is brilliantly done and the characterisation is excellent. I love the atmospheric Norfolk setting of the series particularly the descriptions of Ruth's home on the salt marshes. If you have not read any previous books in this series I would suggest starting at the beginning as the various relationships between the characters will make more sense. Clare Corbett reads this beautifully, although sometimes the male voices are not quite convincing! A highly recommended listen

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Colby

Tucson, AZ, United States

2/16/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Elly Griffiths Is Better than Ever"

What made the experience of listening to The Outcast Dead the most enjoyable?

The story is more complex than previous Ruth Galloway novels, and the elements all fit together beautifully. I've listened to the book twice in two weeks, and saw the hints and nuances that make this such a thought-provoking story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The characters are all evolving, changing with time and experience, though Nelson is as unpleasant as ever. It is a pleasure to see the younger police maturing, and Ruth seems more comfortable in herself than she has been previously.

What about Clare Corbett’s performance did you like?

Male and female characters are easily distinguished and identified by their tones and accents, and her children's voices are delightful.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relationship between Cathbad and Judy has been a source of such unhappiness and difficulty for them, that when Judy spoke to her husband about their marriage and he responded so honestly and touchingly, I had tears in my eyes.

Any additional comments?

This author has published novels in different genres, all of which I have enjoyed. But this book, The Outcast Dead, is a huge leap forward in her writing.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Adrian

Halvergate, United Kingdom

6/24/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Charming and sofisticated thriller !"

Well, I have listened to all the books in the series and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. This 6th book was no diferent and the thriller as well as the continued drama of the characters developed and thrived. I love the lead character Ruth and think that these books could easily be turned in to a tv series, it would beat the socks off some of the current ones ! A really submersive listening experience and a great story line that keeps giving.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

iris

Paris, France

3/21/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"An average read"

There is so much back tracking to past stories that the novel is sluggish and difficult to become engrossed in. The narrator is excellent and it is thanks to this performance that I was able to listen to the whole book. The main character Ruth Galloway is fairly well drawn but the other characters are fairly forgettable. I expect if I had begun with book 1 I might be more indulgent and enthusiastic as her fans are. Unless you are a fan I would give this a miss.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

gill

2/25/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Another very enjoyable Ruth Galloway book"

Another great story. The voice narration was much improved on the last book (Dying Fall) and was easier to listen to.Felt slightly different from the rest of the series as this book feels very firmly set in the here and now with less focus on the history/archaeology. But usual great characters - really enjoyed it!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Learning is fun!

Dorset, England

2/18/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"getting better,"

I enjoyed this story more than the last one I read from the same series. This was largely because of the unusual story line and also because the author didn't spend half the time venting her own frustrations with religion. I still don't like the writing style of the author; writing in the first person simply doesn't work.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Amelia

2/1/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Excellent story telling narrative & characters"

This series is so so good and draws the reader in from the start.The narrative is excellent and the characters are multi layered and blend together well. The development of the story was good and the end brought everything together. I would highly recommend and cant wait for the next installment.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Linda

London, United Kingdom

12/19/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Best yet in this series"

No this series isn't perfect - but it's thoroughly enjoyable nevertheless - and I think the story lines are actually improving (which doesn't happen often). I would agree with another reviewer that Ruth's constant navel gazing about her role as a mother is seriously aggrevating - although the storyline of the baby's father is a good one and makes for an interesting marital situation. I have given 4 stars to performance because Clare Corbett reads very well - however my pleasure in listening is probably only a 3 star because her interpretation of Nelson and even more so Cathbad's voices are so far removed from the original readers that I do find it seriously jarring. Why there had to be a switch on the last book I just can't understand. I'll nevertheless be listening to No 7 when it comes out!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Colin

5/12/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Excellent again"

What did you like most about The Outcast Dead?

Have really enjoyed all of the Ruth Galloway novels. This was no exception - well narrated and good plot.

What other book might you compare The Outcast Dead to, and why?

Any of the earlier Ellie Griffiths books

What about Clare Corbett’s performance did you like?

Good clear interesting tone

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The trauma of a mother accused of hurting her children

Any additional comments?

More please Ellie -ASAP

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Judith

Dursley, United Kingdom

3/20/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Average story"

Although I listened all the way through, I was never gripped or even held firmly! This was my first Elly Griffiths story downloaded after other reviews recommended it and said the stories do not have to be read in any order. I felt that there were lots of back stories I was unaware of, which although not essential to the plot just became annoying. Narration was ok not adding much to the piece. I won't be reading any others in the series.

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